AMBERGRIS CAYE, BELIZE --- I didn't see the game, don't plan on watching the game when I return, and am grateful for not having to see Tim Thomas lead the team in FGA.J.J. Adandedoes a nice job this morning of juxtaposing the absurd timing of the extension against the Clippers' dire need to shake themselves out of their stupor --- even if it means igniting a powder keg by acquiring some combo guard from Philadelphia.

There's absolutely nothing to suggest that the Clippers are anywhere near the front of the pack for Iverson, assuming they want him here at all.But I find reports that Dunleavy and Baylor lack interest in AI because he doesn't mesh well with the Clippers' style of play to be confounding.What style of play is that, gentlemen?Rigor Mortis of the Halfcourt?

If the argument is that trading away Shaun Livingston is a bad long-term play, that the Clippers have a better chance of winning in the future with him than they do winning now with Iverson, then I understand.I'm not entirely convinced, but I can easily entertain that argument.But spare me the notion that the Clippers' "style of play" is something to be safeguarded.Mike Dunleavy may excel at a lot of facets of the game, but a stylist he's not.

Posted Wednesday, October 29 at 3:20PM

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"rigor mortis", that's a good one. The style of play comment from the Clip is absurd, which is an indicator that it means something else that they don't want to say. It either means "AI's style of attitude doesn't fit our clean-cut team image", or "Dunleavy doesn't want to coach this punk".

Apparently no one heard the interview with Dunleavy on the new Roggin and Simers morning radio show last week. When asked about coaching Iverson, he said earlier in his career he would have said no thanks, but that now he's matured and his assists have increased over the years, he would like to coach him at this point in his career, knowing that Iverson's main goal is to win a championship.
The stickler with the projected trade for A.I is of course Livingston being involved. I say don't include him, unless Philly will include Iguodala.

i absolutely agree with you pepper. if livingston is the barrier to getting AI, and we don't do it, there will be 2 premier level seats available for someone next year. i'm sick of watching livingston learn on the job while the prime of a hall-of-fame caliber power forward is wasted. He is not getting any better! i'm sick of driving to staples every night to watch a kid with the mental maturity of a 12 year old try to run a NBA offense.

Imagine how many easy dunks EB will get with AI driving to the hole and dishing to him after the defense tries to collapse on AI!

The "style of play" argument is the same one Dunleavy uses to justify shipping Corey out of town and benching him for Q. Ross (a much lower caliber of player who supposedly "fits the clippers style of play" better). Ridiculous.

Philly has WEBBER. AI didn't make him better. What's the guarantee of him making BRAND better?

AI might bring some temporary relief to Clippers. But future may not be bright as his salary tie up $20 million a year from next season.

I like AI. He is still my favorite player. But for us, AI gamble is NOT GOOD. We will regret if we do. Falling to this temptation will spell serious trouble to very stability of Clipper Nation. This Nation of ours must be protected from all those destructive temptations. Amen.

i'm with John S. on the three way trade...we give up livy and maggs, just for bibby and kenny? hell no...screw that shit...hey john, count me in, i wouldn't mind punching elgin...actually, who i would really like to punch is dunleavy...maybe an armbar or something, until he agress to start maggette, and give singleton some playing time...

Hey, John.. I wanted to do the same to Elgin Baylor when he traded DARIUS MILES. I always thought Elgin Baylor(Ex-Laker) works for Jerry Buss by dismantling Clipper team every 3 years.
It's not happening now because Dunleavy & Sterling are close enough to talk Basketball.

Clipper Nation deserve to have a full time WORKING General Manager. I hope Dunleavy would eventually replace him. We can criticize our Coach. But he's the one who can build this team step by step.

It's not just a comparison of AI to Livingston...as if both are just 2 point guards. You have to look at the impact AI would have on the team, and you always have to look at Livingston's upside potential. Also, bringing AI in would totally disrupt chemistry, change the leadership dynamic on the team...and who's to say he'd even get along with Dunleavy. He rarely gets along with his coaches because he's a "me first" type of player in a team sport.

Who exactly is the leader on the team right now? Cassell can't lead very well from the bench. I hope this deal goes through, which I think we can achieve by not giving up Livingston. Maggette would be a better player for the Sixers than anyone else mentioned in trade rumors so far. Give up Mobley or even Kaman.

I agree BB. This is the same team minus Cassell. They have chemistry but Kaman's presence in the mix is making it hard for other 4 to concentrate on defense. Kaveman drives everybody nuts. Last season Cassell kept yelling at him. This season he is demanding respect because of $50 million baggage.
Cassell is keeping his opinion to himself for all the right reasons. But at what cost?

There are many good , young players who couldn't make it to NBA. If NBA can pick atleast 25 players every year and groom them for International Basketball, that would be great. NBA is rich enough to allocate enough funds on these players. If NBA loves USA, this is one of the ways to prove it. To win world championship, year-long total coomitment is required. Asking NBA players to sign up for this tournament is ridiculous.

04/11/08 19:11:21

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